The Safest Ways to Store Important Papers

The scenario: You've got a mountain of paperwork — paid bills, receipts, old tax returns — sitting on your desk and you're tired of looking at it. The solution: Sort out the must-keeps into three places — a lockable file cabinet, long-term storage, and an emergency kit.

Keep It Safe

Keep It Safe

Fill a fireproof box with difficult-to-replace documents (such as birth and marriage certificates, passports, Social Security cards, wills, and copies of prescriptions). Also include a list of accounts (banking, investment, credit card), emergency contacts (doctors, next of kin), and an inventory of household valuables. Back it all up on a disc, which should go to a trusted confidant or lawyer.

Keep vs. Toss

Keep vs. Toss

• Refer to How Long to Keep Important Papers for a complete keepers list. • Create a receipt receptacle by tucking all sales slips into a folder (Similar to shown: Stainless Steel Magnetic Wall Pocket, $22, The Container Store, containerstore.com) that you leave in an obvious spot. When it’s full, sort through for essential receipts, then stow them in your filing cabinet. • In many ID-theft cases, the cheat knows the victim and/or has access to his or her paperwork. Protect yourself by investing in a crosscut shredder. Try a GHRI pick, like the kid-safe Fellowes Powershred DS-1 ($168; amazon.com).